Hydraulic elevator



Sept. 14, 1954 Filed Nov. 20, 1951 DE WITT E. YATES HYDRAULIC ELEVATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet l www sept. 14, 1954 Filed Nov. 20, 1951 IIG l "1.1.

DE WITT E. YATES HYDRAULIC ELEVATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @y MQMQZ;

Patented Sept. 14, 1954 HYDRAULIC ELEvAToR De Witt E. Yates, Chippewa Falls, Wis, assigner to W, s. Barley a .comisarial Chicago, Ill, a corporation of Illinois Application November 20, 1951, Serial N o. 257,389

1 Claim. l

The present invention relates generally to hydraulic elevators. More particularly the invention relates to that type of elevator which is designed primarily to elevate and lower a load and comprises a normally vertical series of telescopically connected tubes which, when supplied internally with fluid under pressure, slide apart into an extended position and, when the iiuid is released, slide together into a collapsed or nested position.

One object of the invention is to provide an hydraulic elevator which yis an improvement upon, and has certain inherent advantages over, previously designed elevators of the same general type and is characterized by high efficiency, simplicity of design and low cost of manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an hydraulic elevator of the type under consideration in which the tubes are provided with simple and novel means whereby they are eiiectively and efficiently stabilized against lateral deflection or bending when in their extended position as the result of the supply of fluid under pressure to their interiors.

Another object of the invention is to provide an hydraulic elevator of the last mentioned character in which the stabilizing means for the telescopically connected tubes comprises spiders which are flxedly connected to the upper ends oi` the tubes and consist of hubs and radially eX- tending arms, and also comprises rigid rod-type truss elements which extend between, and are operatively connected to, the arms of the spiders and are so arranged and designed that they are placed under tension when the tubes are slid apart into their extended position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an hydraulic elevator of the aforementioned type in which the truss elements are in the form 4of Vshaped rods which are so arranged and designed that they nest when the tubes are slid together into their collapsed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an hydraulic elevator which is generally of new and improved construction, has numerous Capabilities of use, effectivelyand eiciently Afulfills its intended purpose and is compact Whennot in use.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present hydraulic elevator wiil be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several lnovel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by the claim at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corre,- sponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a vertical section showing an hydraulic elevator embodying the invention in its extended position;

Figure 2 isa horizontal section taken on the line 272 vof Figure 1 and illustrating the construction and design of one of the spiders;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line :3T3 of 'Figure 1 and showing in detail the construction of the stufiing boxes at the upper ends of all o f the tubes with the exception of the uppermost` tube;

Figure i is vertical section showing the elevator in partially elevated position and illustrat-ius `the manner in which the pull-down cable ser-ves as .a positive vStop for limiting extension tubes to a particular elevation;

Figure 5 is a vertical section illustrating the @ler or 1.1.1 its collapsed position; and

Figure @is fragmentary View, partly in section and pei-'tlv ,11.1 elevation. Showing the con- .struction and arrangement of the V-Shaped truss rods and-illustrating the manner in which they are operatively LAconnected to the arms of the spiders at the upper ,G .IldS of the tubes.

The hydraulic elevator which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodimellt of the invention. It is designed primarily to elevate and lower a load and comprises a plurality of telescopically connected tubes. Eour tubes are shown in the drawings and these aredesglallsd by the reference numerals 8, 9 and Ll il. Whereas four tubes are shown it is to be understood that more or less tubes may be employed, depending upon whether it is desired to increase or .decrease the over-all height of the elevator when the latter is in its extended position.v The tubes are shown as extending vertically. It is contemplated, however, that in some instances the elevator may be tilted or tipped kfrom a, position wherein the tubes extend truly vertically. Thetubes l', 8, 9 and lli are circular in cross section, as rsho-wn in Figure 2, and are formed of steel, `stainless steel, aluminum or any other suitablestrong rigid material.

The tube 'l is what may be termedthe lowermost tube and has .its ,10W-er .end closed by a crosssurface, to hold the elevator, in ,connection withA tube 1.

`rial and an inverted cup-shaped nut 26. nut 29 comprises a centrally apertured end wall ts within the depending side wall of the nut I8 and is interposed between the upper endof the tube l and the superjacent portion of the cross- `wall of the nut. The spider I4 consists of an annular hub Il and a plurality of radially extending arms I8. The hub I'I of the spider I4 extends around, and is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to, the upper end of the tube I and is disposed a small distance beneath the stuffing box I3. The arms I8 are preferably four in number and are `connected to, and project'outwards from, the

hub II. They are spaced equidistantly apart and embody laterally extending lugs I9 at points directly inwards of their outer extremities. These lugs are preferably formed as integral parts of the arms I8 and have vertically extending holes therein. The arms I8 of the spider I4 are supported by way of vertically extending standards `28, the lower ends of which are connected to the base I2 by triangular gusset plates 2I and the upper ends of which are connected to the outer `ends of the arms I8 by triangular gusset plates 22.

The tube 8 is open ended and embodies at its upper end a stuffing box 23 and a spider 24. It is goi uniform diameter from end to end and extends slidably through the stumng box I3 at the upper end of the tube 'I so that it is capable of sliding upwards and downwards relatively to the The external diameter of the tube 8 is substantially the same as the internal diameter of the tube 'I in order that the sliding connection between the tube 8 and the tube l is comparatively tight. The stuing box 23 at the upper end of the tube 3 is the same in design and construction as the stuffing box I3 at the upper end of the tubev l and consists of an annulus 25 of packing mate- The and a cylindrical side wall which is connected to,

` and depends from, the outer marginal portion of the end wall, surrounds the upper end of the tube 5 8 and is connected thereto by a screw thread connection 21 (see Fig. 3). The annulus 25 of `the stufng box 23 fits within the side wall of the nut 26 and is interposed between the upper end of the tube 8 and the superjacent portion of the end wall of said nut 26. The spider 24 consists of an annular hub 28 and four radially exp tending arms 29. The hub 28 extends around, and

is welded or otherwise fixedly secured to, the upper end of the tube 8 and is disposed a small distance beneath the stuffing box 23. y connected to, and project outwards from, the anp nular hub 28 and directly overlie, but are of less The arms 29 are I9 on the arms I8 of the spider I4 and have vertically extending holes therethrough. The inner 1 ends of the arms 29 are provided with laterally y addition to the lugs 39 and 3I integral laterally extending lugs 32 and these are disposed a small 4 distance inwards of the lugs 38 and have vertical holes therethrough. Associated respectively with, and depending from, the four arms 29 of the spider 24 are four V-shaped truss rods 33. The purpose of these truss rods is to limit upward sliding movement of the tube 8 with respect to the tube I and also to prevent lateral deflection or bending of the tube 8 when it is in its extended positon. The truss rods 33 comprise outer parts 34 and inner parts 35. The outer parts 34 are vertically disposed andextend slidably through the holes in the lugs I9 on the outer ends of the arms I8 of the spider I4. The upper ends of the outer parts 34 extend through the holes in the lugs 33 and are provided with pairs of vertically spaced nuts 38 which straddle the lugs 30 and serve fixedly to connect the upper ends of the outer -parts 34 to said lugs. The inner parts 35 of the truss rods 33 have the lower ends connected to the lower ends of the outer parts 35 by U-shaped connecting parts 31 and extend upwards and inwards at a comparatively small acute angle with respect to the outer parts 34. The upper ends of the inner parts 35 extend through the holes in the lugs 3I and are provided with pairs of spaced apart nuts 38 which are in straddled yrelation with the lugs 3l and serve xedly to connect the upper ends of the inner parts 35 of said lugs. When the tube 8 is slid upwards and downwards with respect to the tube 'I the outer parts 34 of the V-shaped truss rods 33 slide through the lugs I9 on the outer ends of the arms I8 of the spider I4. The U- shaped connecting parts 31 between the lower ends of the outer parts 34 and the inner parts 35 coact with the lugs I9 to limit upward sliding movement of the tube 8 with respect to the tube 1. The tube 8 is caused to slide upwards with respect to the tube l when fluid under pressure is introduced into the tubes 1 and 8. When the tube 8 is slid upwards to its fullest extent the pressure of the fluid places the truss rods under tension and causes them to stabilize the tube 8 against lateral deflection or bending relatively to the tube 1. When the tube 8 is slid downwards with respect to the tube 'I the truss rods 33 are disposed inwards of the standards 20, as shown in Figure 5.

The tube 9 is open ended and embodies at its upper end a stuffing box 39 and a spider 48. It is of uniform diameter from end to end and extends slidably through the stuffing box 23 at the upper end of the tube 8. The external diameter of the tube 9 is substantially the same as the internal diameter of the ytube 8 in order that the sliding connection between the tube 9 and the tube 8 is comparatively tight. The stuffing box 39 at the upper end of the tube 9 is the same in design and construction as the stuing boxes I3 and 23 at the upper ends of the tubes 'I and 8 and consists of an annulus 4I of packing material and an inverted cup-shaped nut 42. The nut 42 comprises a centrally apertured end wall and a cylindrical side Wall which is connected to, and depends from, the outer marginal portion of the end wall, surrounds the upper end of the tube 9 and is connected thereto by a screw thread connection. The annulus 4I of the stuifing box 39 fits within the sidewall of the nut 42 and is interposed between the upper end of the tube 9 and the superjacent portion of the end wall of said nut `42. The spider 49 consists of an annular hub 43 and four radially extending arms 44. The'hub 43 extends around, and is welded or otherwise xedly secured to, the upper end of the tube 9 and is disposed a small distance beneath the stuing box38. The arms 44 are connected to, and project outwards from, the annular hub 43 and directly overlie,..but.are of less length than, thearms 29 of the spider 124. The outer ends of the arms 44 are provided-with integral laterally extending lugs. 45 and these are vertically aligned withr the .laterally extending lugs 32 on the arms 29 of the spider 24 and have vertically extending holes therethrough.

.The inner ends of the arms 44 are provided with laterally extending lugs 46 and theseare preferably formed Vas integral ,partsof :the arms .44 .and have vertical holes therethrough. The spider arms 44 have in addition to the lugs 45 and 46 integral laterally extending lugs 41 and ,these are disposed a small .distance inwards'of'the lugs 45 and have vertical holes therethrough. Associated respectively with, andfdepending from, the four arms 44 of the spider 40 are four V-.shaped truss rods 48. The purpose of these truss rods is to limit upward sliding movement of the tube 9 with respect to the tube 8 and also to prevent lateral deflection or bending of the tube .9 when it is in its extended position. The truss rods 48 comprise outer parts 49 and innerv parts5. The outer parts 49 are vertically disposed and extend slidably through holes in the lugs 32 on the outer ends of the arms 29 of the spider 24. The upper ends cf the outer parts 49 extend through the holes in the lugs 32 and are provided vwith pairs of vertically spaced nuts 5l which straddle the lugs 45 and serve xedly to connect the upper ends of the outer parts 49 to said lugs. The inner parts 50 of the truss rods 48 have their lower ends connected to the lower ends of the outer parts 49 by U-shaped connecting `parts 52 and extend upwards and inwards at `an .acute angle which is slightly smaller thanthe angle between the outer and inner parts 34 and 35-of the truss rods 33. The upper ends of the inner parts 50 extend through the holes in the lugs 4B and are provided with pairs of vertically spaced apart nuts 53 which are in straddled relation with the lugs 49 and serve fixedly to connect the upper ends of the inner parts 5.0 to said lugs. When the tube 9 is slid upwards and downwards with respect to the tube 8 the outer parts 4:9 of the V-shaped truss rods 48 slide through the lugs 32 on the outer ends of the arms 2.9. ofthe spider 24. The U-shaped connecting parts 52 between the lower ends of the outer parts 49 and the inner parts 59 coact with lthe lugs 32 to limit upward sliding movement of theptube 9 with respect to the tube v9. The tube 9 is caused to slide upwards with respect to the tube 8 when-duid under pressure is introduced into the tube assembly. When the tube 9 is slid upwards to its fullest extent the pressure of the fluid places the truss rods 4B under tension and causes them to stabilize the tube 9 against lateral deection or bending Arelatively to the tube 8. The tube v9 .and the truss rods 48 are, respectively, shorter than :the tube 8 and the truss rods 33, and the trussrods 48 .are so arranged and shaped that lwhen the tube 9 is lowered with respect to the tube 8 they itor nest in the truss rods 33, as shown in Figure .5.

The tube I9 is open at its lower end and closed at its upper end and embodies a spider 54. vIt is of uniform diameter from end to end and lextends slidably through the `stuffing box 39 atthe upper end of the tube 9 so that it is capable of sliding upwards and downwards relativelyfto the tube 9. The external .diameter of thetube In is substantially the sameras the internal .diameter of the tube 9 in order that the slidingconnection between thetube l0 and the tube 9. is comparatively tight. The spider 54 consists -`of an annuvlar` hub 55 and four radiallyy extending arms .56. The hub 55 `extends around the ,upper end .of the tube l0 `andiswelded or .otherwise fixedly secured thereto. The arms 56 are connected to, .and pro, ject outwardsfrorn, thehub A55 :and directly overlie, but are of less length than, the arms 440i the spider 40. The outer ends of the arms56 are provided with integral laterally extending lugs 51 and these are vertcallyaligned with the laterally extending lugs` 4.1 on the arms 44 of the spider 40 and have vertically extend-ing holes therethrough. The` inner ends of the arms .5.6 .are provided with laterally extending 1ugs58 and these are preferably formed. as integral parts of the armsv 56 and `have vertical holes therethrough. Associated respectivelywith, andi depending from, the four arms 56 of the `spider 54 are. four V- shaped truss rods 59. The purpose of these truss rods is to limit upward sliding :movement of the tube I0 with respect to `thetube 9 and also to prevent lateral deflection or bending of the tube I U when it is in its extended position. The truss rods 59 comprise outer Aparts'' and inner parts 6l. The outer parts Bllare vertically disposed and extend slidably through holes'in the lugs 41 on the outer ends of the arms 4.4 of the spider 40. The upper ends of vthe outer'parts' extend through the holes in thelugs 51 and are provided with pairs of vertically spaced nuts 62 which straddle the lugs 51 and serve xedly to connect the upper ends of the outer part 69 to said lugs. The inner parts 9| of the truss rods 59 are connected to the lower ends of the outer parts 50 by U-shaped connecting parts and extend upwards and inwards at an acute angle which is slightly smaller than the angle between the outer and inner parts .49 and 5.9 of the truss rods 48. The upper ends of the inner parts 5i extend through the holes in the lugs 58 and are provided with pairs of vertically spaced apart nuts 94 which are in straddled relationwith the lugs 58 and serve xedly to connect the upper ends of the inner parts 5l to said lugs. When the tube I9 is slid upwards and downwards with respect to the tube 9 the outer parts 6l of the V- shaped truss rods 59 slide through the lugs 41 on the outer ends of the arms .44 of the spider 49. The. U-shaped connecting parts 64 between the lower ends of the outer parts i613 and the inner parts y9| coact with the lugs 41 to limit upward sliding movement of the -tube 1.9 with respect to the tube 9. The tube I0 is `caused to slide upwards with respect to the tube 9 :when fluid under pressure is introduced into the tube assembly. When the tube l0 is slid upwards to its fullest extent the pressure of the fluid places thertruss rods 59 under tension and causes them to stabilize the ytube I9 against lateral deflection or bending relatively to the tube 9. The tube I9 and the truss rods 59 are, respectively, shorter than the tube 9 and the truss rods 48, and the truss rods 59 and so arranged and shaped that when the tube l0 is lowered with respect to the tube 9 they fit and nest in the truss rods 48, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. The spider 54 is surmounted by a load supporting platform 6.5. The latter is suitably secured toarms `56 of the spider 54 so that it is Amovable up and down with said spider.

When kiuid under pressure is introduced into the lowerrnost utbe 1 the tube 8 iirstslides upwards to its fullestextent, then thectube :9 slides upwards to its fullest extent andthen the tube l slides upwards to its fullest extent. When the iiuid under pressure within the tube assembly is released .the tube I8 rst slides down into the tube 9, the tube 9 then slides down into the tube tube 9 `and the tube 8 slide downwards in the 8 and finally the tube 8 slides downwards into the v tube l.' The largest slidable tube, i. e., tube 8, always slides upwards rst and retracts last because it has a greatery cross sectional area than the tube next above it. The vhydraulic pressure that is required to slide upwards each slidable tube is greater the smaller the tube and hence there is a progressive increase in the pressure of the iluid within the tube assembly as the elevator as a whole slides upwards into its extended position. As a result of the progressive increase in the pressure of the fluid within the tube assembly as the elevator rises the tension on the Various truss rods increases and, therefore, the stability is greater as the elevator rises as the load increases. Associated `with the telescopically connected tubes l, S, 9 and I9 is means for supplying the lowermost tube l with iiuid under pressure in order to effect sliding apart of the tubes into their extended position. Such means comprises a tank 96 and a pump 6l. The tank 98 is located at one side of the base I2 and contains a column 98 of liquid, such as oil. The pump 6l is located between the tank t9 and the tube l and comprises a casing '-69 and a rotor (not shown) within the casing. The casing of the pump embodies an inlet l and an outlet ll. The rotor is driven by an electric motor (not shown). The inlet 'i9 of the pump casing 69 is connected to the lower end of the tank 6G by a pipe l2. The outlet 'H of the pump casing is connected to the lower end of the tube l by a pipe 73. When the pump is driven liquid is drawn from the tank 86 through the pipe 'l2 and is forced under pressure through the pipe 'F8 into the tube assembly. As heretofore pointed out, supply of fluid under'pressure into the tube as sembly serves to slide apart the slidable tubes into their extended position. The pipe 'i9 ernbodies a globe valve 'i4 and a check valve l5. The globe valve 'I4 is located in close proximity to the outlet 'll of the pump casing and serves as a medium for regulating the flow of liquid from the pump to the tube assembly. The check valve 'l5 is located in the pipe 'i3 between the globe valve 'lll and the tube l and serves to prevent reverse flow of liquid through the pump when the pump is not in operation. A by-pass pipe TE is connected to the pipe 13 at a point between the globe Valve 'i4 and the outlet ll of the pump casing and leads into the central portion of the tank 65. It serves to by-pass back to the tank the pumpage that occurs when the elevator is extended to its fullest extent while the pump is still in operation. A globe valve 'il is included in the by-pass pipe 'I6 and serves to control the p flow of excess pumpage through such pipe. A

return pipe 'I8 has one end thereof connected to the pipe 13 at a point between the check valve l and the tube l. The other end of the ret-urn pipe is connected to the upper end ofthe tank 8S. A globe valve I9 is included in the return pipe 18. When the pump 6l is operated to pump liquid under pressure into the tube assembly the globe Valve 19 is closed. When it is desired to lower the elevator the pump 6l is stopped' and the globe valve 19 is opened. As soon as such valveis opened the hydraulic pressure within the tube assembly is released and the slidable tubes il), 9, and 8 .slide downwardsfand the tube l0, the

order mentioned.

In addition to the parts heretofore mentioned the elevator comprises a winch 88 and a pull-down cable BI. The winch is mounted on the base I2 in close proximity to the lower end of the tube 'l and embodies a U-shaped mounting bracket 82, y

and a drum 83 between the upper ends of the side parts of the mounting bracket. The drum 83 is fixed to a shaft 84, the ends of which extend through, and are journalled in, holes in the upper ends of the side parts of the mounting bracket 82. A crank 85 is connected to one end of the shaft and serves as an instrumentality for turning the drum 83. One end of the cable 8l is connected to one of the arms 5B of the spider 54 at the upper end of the tube I0 and the other end of the cable is anchored to, and wound around, the drum 83 of the winch 8D. When the globe valve 19 in the return pipe '18,is opened when it is desired to collapse the elevator the cable 8| by proper turning of the crank 85 may be pulled downwards so as to assure downward sliding of the tubes lll, 9 and 8. The pull-down cable Bl is brought into play in the event that binding of the aforementioned tubes occurs. In order to limit paying-out of thecable so as to control as desired the elevation'to which the elevator is raised in connection with supply of liquid under pressure to the tube 'l a ratchet wheel 86 and a pawl 8l are provided. The ratchet wheel 86 is xedly secured to one end of the drum supporting shaft 8G. The pawl 81 is disposed adjacent the ratchet wheel and is pivotally connected to one of the side parts of the mounting bracket 82 so that it is capable of being swung into and out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel. The teeth of the ratchet wheel are arranged so that if the pawl is in engagement therewith the pawl slides over the teeth when the drum is turned by the crank 85 so as to wind the pull-down cable 8l around the drum. It is contemplated that in connection with raising of the elevator the pawl `will ybe swung out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel. When the elevator has been raised to the desired extent it is contemplated that the operator will swing the pawl into engagement with one of the teeth of the ratchet wheel so as to form a positive stop whereby further raising of the elevator is prevented.

The herein described hydraulic elevator has numerous capabilities of use. It may be used in connection with rescue operations at elevations that are out of reach of existing facilities. It may be used to elevate materials to high places in connection with construction operations. It also may be used in connection with cleaning and painting high structures, as well as a medium for supportig the nozzle of a iire hose. Due to its particular design and construction the elevator may be produced at a comparatively low cost and when in its collapsed position occupies but a small space.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modied within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit and scope of he invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: p

An hydraulic elevator comprising a normally vertical series of concentrically arranged and telescopically connected tubes, the tube of largest diameter having -its lower end closed and being provided with means for supporting it in an upstanding position, the tube of smallest diameter having its upper end closed and provided with load supporting means, said tubes being adapted when supplied internally with liquid under pressure to slide apart into an extended position and when the liquid is released to slide together into a collapsed position, means for supplying liquid under pressure to the interiors of the tubes and releasing it therefrom, spiders connected fixedly to the upper ends of the tubes and provided with rigid outwardly and radially extending substantially vertically aligned arms, the arms of all of the spiders with the exception of the spider on the upper end of the tube of largest diameter being provided with rigid anchoring means and the arms of all of the spiders with the exception of the spider on the upper end of the tube of smallest diameter being provided with members having vertical holes therein, and rigid upstanding rodtype V-shaped truss elements extending between the arms of the spiders, consisting of vertical outer parts, upwardly and inwardly inclined inner parts and integral U-shaped connecting parts between the lower ends of the outer and inner parts, and 20 having the upper end of said outer and inner parts connected fixedly to the anchoring means of\ the superjacent spider arms, said truss elements having the outer parts thereof extending slidably through the holes in the members of the subjacent spider arms, having their U-shaped connecting parts disposed beneath said members, and being of slightly less length than the tubes and so constructed and designed that when the tubes are slid apart to substantially their fullest extent said U-shaped connecting parts abut against said members and result in the truss elements serving to limit further sliding apart of the tubes and being placed under such tension that they operate through the medium of the spiders to stabilize the tubes against lateral denection or bending, said truss elements being so proportioned and positioned that they nest When the tubes are in their collapsed position.

References cited in the fue of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTs Number Name Date 143,182 Pierson Sept. 23, 1873 y 619,439 Riecke Feb. 14, 1899 669,492 Gill Mar. 5, 1901 1,325,053 Steidle Dec. 16, 1919 1,471,734 Jansen Oct. 23, 1923 

